Telecommuting is becoming more commonplace, thanks to the availability of the internet and collaboration apps for businesses. However, not all companies are open to the idea of letting their employees telecommute. If you want to maximize the potential of mobile working, but your company hasn’t embraced the idea yet, there are some steps you can take to get started.

Gauge your supervisor’s thoughts on the subject. Someone else has to give the final word regarding your telecommuting proposal. This could be an individual, a set of individuals, or a department. The first thing you need to do is find out who will make the final decision before you start.

• Go through company policies and manuals. Does your proposal fit? Would telecommuting go against any set rules or policies? Find any clauses that can help support your proposal. These will come in handy during your presentation.
• Look for examples. Find existing teleworking examples within your office or another similar company. It’s ideal to find an example who has the same job description as yours.
• Find out your company’s history on granting special requests. How has your supervisor reacted to other special requests previously? Is your ocmpany open-minded when it comes to new productivity ideas?
• Learn more about the decision-makers. Who are they and what role do they play in the company? If you can, spot a possible ally in the committee.
• Consider your timing. Can your company afford to be supportive at this time in its growth? Consider the problems that your company or industry is currently facing.
• Speak within their framework. Don’t use jargon, especially if your company isn’t even familiar with the term “telecommuting”. Demonstrate your ideas in words and visuals that they can understand.

Build your case. Your proposal needs to be as strong as your determination to telecommute. Here are some points to consider when you’re building up the strength of your proposal.

• Telecommuting is cheaper. If you work from home, you won’t be using as much company resources. These resources can span from electricity to equipment to the lounge’s coffee filters. Try to quantify how much the company will save each week.
• It is more efficient for the company. Show how it’ll make the jobs of other people easier as well. Find statistics about how there’s increased personal productivity among teleworkers.
• It reduces the need for taking a leave. Your proposal must include studies that display telecommuting’s health benefits. These health benefits will lead to less sick days for you. Also, since you work at your own pace, you’ll be less stressed and might need less vacation leaves.
• Get the approval of your colleagues. Especially the people who work with you, who are part of your team and will be directly affected by your choice to telecommute. This shows upper management that you’re not trying to be special and won’t cause unnecessary envy from your colleagues.

Find a way to quantify your work. How will your work be monitored when you’re telecommuting? Will your colleagues be able to reach you? Show your supervisors your minimum expected daily output, how they can keep track of your work, and the various means of communication involved. Use tools that your direct supervisor is familiar with, so it won’t be too much work on her part.

Give it a trial run. Supervisors are most likely to accept something new if you add a “Try it before you buy it” clause. If you’re dealing with a particularly difficult supervisor, you can propose to do the trial run during a couple of days on vacation leave.

Getting approval to telecommute can be a daunting task, although it shouldn’t be. As long as you keep in mind the advantages it brings to the company, your supervisors can see the big picture more easily.